I really want to choose the Voodoo path in this game, but from what I see on most of the game guides, it's mostly useless. On the other hand, inquisition path gives you the musket, which makes combat easier, but seems pretty boring in comparison.

Any advice on the voodoo path? Is there some way to make better use of the skills that are offered that maybe the guides have been missing? The main problems they mention is that the potion brewing is too expensive for recipes/ingredients and that you're better off just buying them pre-made from a seller, and that the death cult skills don't get any use until right near the end of the game.

Sorry ekj7 - only just read this.

Okay, making potions is usually a good thing in a Risen game due to the fact you can make some that permanently increase strength, dexterity, mana and health. Right now I can't remember if it's possible to make these in Risen 2, but I'll go have a look at a save game and see if I can give you more info later.

I found that some of the aspects of voodoo were not worth developing i.e the staffs as their damage potential paled into insignificance compared to a sword. I also found it not worthwhile creating talismans as they are freely available in the course of the game as is cash, so (imo) the money making potential of crafting talismans is limited.

However, charming a voodoo doll so you can take someone over is tremendous fun and gave me some really good belly laughs. There are a number of occasions where this is really useful. I also found that although the death cult skills are not fully accessible until the later section of the game these were an interesting and more useful addition.

In any game you have to make choices as to what skills you develop and the voodoo path is no different in that respect. Much depends upon the preferred gameplay style of the player and I think Risen 2 tries to deliver a somewhat different range of choices to many RPGs.

For me, the Inquisition/musket path doesn't have the depth of gameplay that helping the natives and the voodoo route does. Also it felt overly serious in comparison. I enjoyed the voodoo path and found it fun.

I did wind up taking the voodoo path. It's not bad, but I find I rarely use the abilities and instead just slice everyone up with the sword. For tougher enemies I'll use the curse doll or summon Steelbeard's ghost (I made sure to hit up the Isle of the Dead as soon as possible to get this one)

The problem with the voodoo dolls is that they are storyline specific. It's not like you can just make a doll and control any NPC you want. It will only ever come up as an option when you have to do it for that part of the storyline. It's fun and all, but you have limited control of the character. No inventory, no combat.

Right, then. Finished the game. Pretty good ending, I suppose. Not sure why they bother giving you a bunch of glory points at the end, seeing as you can't really put them to any use.

A few things struck me as odd in this game:

You can attack any NPC you want with nearly zero consequences. The worst that will happen is that bystanders will join in and beat you down and you lose 50 glory. If you win, you can steal anything you want in the guy's home and his status merely goes to "offended" and even that goes away after sleeping once.

After winning a sword fight with an NPC (consensual or not), they get back up on their feet with full heath. You? not so.

When you use a voodoo doll to control an NPC, you perform the ritual with the doll RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM, and they don't do anything while you pull it off.

You can pickpocket huge amounts of gold (500gp sometimes) off some characters. How on Earth would this amount of weight change go unnoticed by anyone?

Steelbeard's Ghost can use grog to heal up.

There's a certain puzzle at the end of the Treasure Island DLC that suffers from missing German-to-English translation which pretty much prevents you from solving it properly without resorting to reload/try-again.

In Risen 1 the combat system was awesome, while Risen 2 was sometimes quite funny with the pirate them. But one game with pirates is enough, so it is good that Risen 3 will not have it.
What I wish for is more companions which are memorable... Patty was ok, but to be honest both games did not give me the feeling of having great companions like Gothic series did, so I hope some cool guys will be added in Risen 3.

Bring back the damned Gothic-style climbing and diving, or better yet expand on it. It's one of the quintessential PB game traits, IMO.

Yep - I agree. Gothic 2 is my favourite RPG because of the climbing. There's something about getting to the top of a mountain that's soooo satisfying.

I've always thought of it as being a bit like Tomb Raider. The player's possession of climbing and diving ability necessitates more interesting, puzzle-like caves and dungeons (and also outdoor terrain features, for that matter). I've always wished PB would enhance that aspect of their games. Add more climbing, more diving and swimming, and maybe some crawling on ledges and swinging on ropes or vines in certain situations.